Center addresses regional climate change

Scientists in Alaska are forecasting the long-term effects on wildlife as permafrost thaws. In Hawaii there’s a study of coral reef health and coastal erosion as sea levels rise. Arizona researchers are studying how much water the Colorado River can supply in prolonged drought.

There’s lots of research being done into the effects and causes of climate change, but to Stephen Jackson, scientists may not know what others are working on and the results may not be communicated in a way that’s useful to decision makers.

“Climate is something that we all have to worry about,” said Jackson, the first director of the Southwest Climate Science Center at the University of Arizona.

The center, established by the U.S. Department of the Interior and managed by the U.S. Geological Survey, is one of eight around the country that coordinate research by universities and scientific institutions. The National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center in Virginia consolidates the information.

“In order to manage our resources we need the best kind of scientific information to develop the best management strategies to maintain,” Jackson said.